Dr. Rafal Pielak, PhD
Scientific Founder and CEO
Dr. Rafal Pielak holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from Harvard Medical School and completed his postdoctoral fellowship in the Department of Chemistry at UC Berkeley. He has spent his career driving product innovation in biotechnology and was a founding member of the L’Oréal Tech Incubator in San Francisco, where he led development efforts for brands such as La Roche-Posay, CeraVe, and SkinCeuticals.
Interview with our Founder
Story
It all started with Rafal, our scientist founder, a Harvard Biomedical Chemistry PhD who saw his wife struggle with eczema while she was pregnant with their first child.
Listen to Rafal’s heartwarming story of how he helped his wife overcome eczema and his inspiration behind founding Soteri Skin. Learn about the science behind the formulations and how it can also help you live eczema free.
"The market is flooded with eczema creams and topicals that don’t work. They treat symptoms, but the eczema always comes back, sometimes stronger. Soteri Skin is the only non-steroidal eczema treatment that addresses the root cause, allowing you to live eczema-free."
Rafal Pielak, Founder & CEO Soteri Skin
Dr. Rafal Pielak Education & Training
Dr. Rafal Pielak Affiliations
Dr. Rafal M. Pielak Selected Peer-Reviewed Publications
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Open label, single arm, interventional multi-centered study to evaluate the efficacy and biophysical response of topical Soteri Skin cream in following skin conditions: atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis and rosacea
Guneet Bedi, Pratisha Dash, Rafal M. Pielak. (2022, November). International Journal of Research in Dermatology.
Skin Surface pH and Its Implication in Skin Health
Rafal M. Pielak, Howard I. Maibach. (2022, August). In [Book Chapter].
Wearable UV/HEV light sensor and smartphone application for personal monitoring and personalized recommendations
Rafal M. Pielak, Pinghung Wei, Haruna Peyret, Lingsong Meng, Seung Yun Heo, Ying Diao, John A. Rogers. (2020, December). Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology.
Wireless, battery-free, flexible, miniaturized dosimeters monitor exposure to solar radiation and to light for phototherapy
Seung Yun Heo, Jeonghyun Kim, Philipp Gutruf, Rafal M. Pielak, Jizhou Song, Yonggang Huang, John A. Rogers. (2018, December). Science Translational Medicine, 10(470), eaau1643. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aau1643
Soft, stretchable, epidermal sensor with integrated electronics and photochemistry for measuring personal UV exposures
Yunzhou Shi, Megan C. Manco, Dominique Moyal, Seung Yun Heo, Siddharth Krishnan, Jeonghyun Kim, Philipp Gutruf, Yeguang Xue, Rafal M. Pielak, John A. Rogers. (2018, January). PLOS One, 13(1), e0190233. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0190233
Early T cell receptor signals globally modulate ligand:receptor affinities during antigen discrimination
Rafal M. Pielak, Geoff P. O’Donoghue, Jenny J. Lin, Alexander Smoligovets, Sam Govindarajan, Jay T. Groves. (2017, October). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 114(44), 12190–12195. https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1710644114
Multimodal epidermal devices for hydration monitoring
Siddharth Krishnan, Yunzhou Shi, Richard C. Webb, Yeguang Xue, Sang Min Kim, Zheng Yan, Woon-Hong Yeo, Huanyu Cheng, Dae-Hyeong Kim, James A. Rogers, Rafal M. Pielak. (2017, June). Microsystems & Nanoengineering, 3, 17014. https://doi.org/10.1038/micronano.2017.14
UV sensors: Materials and device designs for an epidermal UV colorimetric dosimeter with near field communication capabilities (Adv. Funct. Mater. 2/2017)
Hitoshi Araki, Jeonghyun Kim, Shaoning Zhang, Rafal M. Pielak, Seung Yun Heo, Yeguang Xue, Zhaoqian Xie, Yonggang Huang, John A. Rogers. (2017, January). Advanced Functional Materials, 27(2), 1604465. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201604465
A soft, wearable microfluidic device for the capture, storage, and colorimetric sensing of sweat
Ahyeon Koh, Daeshik Kang, Yeguang Xue, Seung Yun Heo, Rafal M. Pielak, Jizhou Song, Yonggang Huang, John A. Rogers. (2016, November). Science Translational Medicine, 8(366), 366ra165. https://doi.org/10.1126/scitranslmed.aaf2593
Materials and device designs for an epidermal UV colorimetric dosimeter with near field communication capabilities
Hitoshi Araki, Jeonghyun Kim, Shaoning Zhang, Rafal M. Pielak, Seung Yun Heo, Yeguang Xue, Zhaoqian Xie, Yonggang Huang, John A. Rogers. (2016, November). Advanced Functional Materials, 26(44), 7946–7954. https://doi.org/10.1002/adfm.201603322
Analysis of bacteria using zero volt paper spray
Pu Wei, Soumabha Bag, Christopher J. Pulliam, Rafal M. Pielak, R. Graham Cooks. (2016, February). Analytical Methods, 8(7), 1415–1419.* https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AY02614C
Rapid discrimination of bacteria using a miniature mass spectrometer
Christopher J. Pulliam, Pu Wei, Dalton Snyder, Rafal M. Pielak, R. Graham Cooks. (2016, February). The Analyst, 141(6), 1742–1747.* https://doi.org/10.1039/C5AN02465E
Epidermal devices for noninvasive, precise, and continuous mapping of macrovascular and microvascular blood flow
Richard C. Webb, Yinji Ma, Siddharth Krishnan, Yeguang Xue, Seung Yun Heo, Jizhou Song, Yonggang Huang, Rafal M. Pielak, John A. Rogers. (2015, October). Science Advances, 1(9), e1500701.* https://doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.1500701
Thermal transport characteristics of human skin measured in vivo using ultrathin conformal arrays of thermal sensors and actuators
Richard C. Webb, Rafal M. Pielak, Philippe Bastien, Seung Yun Heo, Yunzhou Shi, Siddharth Krishnan, Dae-Hyeong Kim, Yonggang Huang, John A. Rogers. (2015, February). PLOS One, 10(2), e0118131.* https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0118131
Single molecule measurements of TCR:MHC binding kinetics in living primary T cells
Rafal M. Pielak, Geoffrey P. O’Donoghue, Alexander A. Smoligovets, Jenny J. Lin, Jay T. Groves. (2013, January). Biophysical Journal, 105(1), 14–25.*
Structural investigation of rimantadine inhibition of the AM2-BM2 chimera channel of influenza viruses
Rafal M. Pielak, Kirill Oxenoid, James Jeiwen Chou. (2011, November). Structure, 19(11), 1655–1663.*
Kinetic analysis of the M2 proton conduction of the influenza virus
Rafal M. Pielak, James Jeiwen Chou. (2010, December). Journal of the American Chemical Society, 132(49), 17695–17697.*
Solution NMR structure of the V27A drug resistant mutant of influenza A M2 channel
Rafal M. Pielak, James Jeiwen Chou. (2010, October). Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, 401(1), 58–63.*
Magic angle spinning NMR investigation of influenza A M2(18–60): Support for an allosteric mechanism of inhibition
Loren B. Andreas, Matthew Eddy, Rafal M. Pielak, Robert G. Griffin. (2010, August). Journal of the American Chemical Society, 132(32), 10958–10960.*
Influenza M2 proton channels
Rafal M. Pielak, James Jeiwen Chou. (2010, May). Biochimica et Biophysica Acta, 1808(2), 522–529.*
Flu channel drug resistance: A tale of two sites
Rafal M. Pielak, James Jeiwen Chou. (2010, March). Protein & Cell, 1(3), 246–258.*
Structure and mechanism of influenza proton channels
James Jeiwen Chou, Rafal M. Pielak, Jason R. Schnell, Junfeng Wang. (2010, January). Biophysical Journal, 98(1), 21–31.*
Solution structure and functional analysis of the influenza B proton channel
Junfeng Wang, Rafal M. Pielak, Mark A. McClintock, James Jeiwen Chou. (2009, November). Nature Structural & Molecular Biology, 16(12), 1267–1271.*
Mechanism of drug inhibition and drug resistance of influenza A M2 channel
Rafal M. Pielak, Jason R. Schnell, James Jeiwen Chou. (2009, May). Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 106(18), 7379–7384.*
mTOR-dependent suppression of protein phosphatase 2A is critical for phospholipase D survival signals in human breast cancer cells
Li Hui, Vanessa Rodrik, Rafal M. Pielak, Yanan Zheng, David A. Foster. (2005, November). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280(43), 35829–35835.*
Polar body formation in Spisula oocytes: Function of the peripheral aster
Rafal M. Pielak, Christopher Hawkins, Aung Pyie, William D. Cohen. (2005, September). Biological Bulletin, 209(2), 127–136.*
Phospholipase D elevates the level of MDM2 and suppresses DNA damage-induced increases in p53
Li Hui, Tarek Abbas, Rafal M. Pielak, David A. Foster. (2004, August). Journal of Biological Chemistry, 279(34), 34882–34892.*
Formation and function of the polar body contractile ring in Spisula
Rafal M. Pielak, Valeriya Gaysinskaya, William D. Cohen. (2004, June). Developmental Biology, 273(2), 371–379.*
Cytoskeletal events preceding polar body formation in activated Spisula eggs
Rafal M. Pielak, Valeriya Gaysinskaya, William D. Cohen. (2003, November). Biological Bulletin, 205(2), 120–131.*
Patents by Dr. Rafal M. Pielak
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Methods and Chemical Compositions for Treating Skin Conditions by Providing Controlled Skin Surface pH
Pielak, R. M. Soteri Skin, Inc. US12396973B2. Priority: April 26, 2021 • Filed: March 26, 2025 • Granted: August 26, 2025 • Published: August 26, 2025.
Describes compositions and methods for maintaining optimal skin surface pH to restore skin barrier function and treat disorders such as atopic dermatitis, eczema, psoriasis, and rosacea.
Chemical Compositions Providing Long-Lasting pH Control for Improving Vulvar and Vaginal Skin Health
Pielak, R. M. Soteri Skin, Inc. WO2025080686A1. Priority: October 9, 2023 • Filed: October 9, 2024 • Published: April 17, 2025.
Discloses topical formulations designed to sustain optimal vulvar and vaginal pH for improved comfort and protection against irritation.
Chemical Compositions Providing Long-Lasting Skin pH Control for Improving Skin Barrier Function
Pielak, R. M. Soteri Skin, Inc. WO2022232764A1. Priority: April 26, 2021 • Filed: April 25, 2022 • Published: November 3, 2022.
Relates to pH-stabilizing compositions for long-term maintenance of skin’s acid mantle, useful for treating barrier dysfunction and irritation.
Device for Measuring Environmental Factors and Recommending Personalized Care Regimens
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. US20220028564A1. Priority: July 24, 2020 • Filed: July 24, 2020 • Published: January 27, 2022.
A computer-implemented system for analyzing environmental exposure and generating personalized skincare or haircare product recommendations.
Device for Measuring Environmental Factors and Recommending Personalized Care Regimens
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. FR3113820A1. Priority: September 10, 2020 • Filed: September 10, 2020 • Published: March 11, 2022.
French counterpart describing a computer system and algorithmic approach to generate customized mitigation regimens based on pollutant exposure.
Systems and Methods for Predicting Skin Treatment Outcomes Using Skin pH Information
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. WO2021055263A1. Priority: September 16, 2019 • Filed: September 14, 2020 • Published: March 25, 2021.
Describes use of electronic pH sensors and machine learning models to predict individual skin responses and recommend personalized treatments.
System and Apparatus for Selecting and Dispensing Cosmetic Material
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. EP3407756B1. Priority: January 27, 2016 • Filed: January 26, 2017 • Granted: June 16, 2021 • Published: June 16, 2021.
Covers a multi-cartridge dispensing system for creating customized cosmetic products on demand.
Device and System for Personal UV Exposure Measurements
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. EP3400062B1. Priority: January 4, 2016 • Filed: January 4, 2017 • Granted: August 27, 2025 • Published: August 27, 2025.
A wearable or portable device for quantifying UV exposure and providing user feedback to guide sun protection behavior.
Systems and Methods for Predicting Skin Treatment Outcomes Using pH Information
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. WO2020060940A1. Priority: September 17, 2018 • Filed: September 16, 2019 • Published: March 26, 2020.
Covers colorimetric sensors for sweat pH measurement and associated mobile applications for tracking and analysis.
Machine-Implemented Virtual Health and Beauty System
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. US20190213227A1. Priority: January 5, 2018 • Filed: January 7, 2019 • Published: July 11, 2019.
Describes AI-based systems for analyzing user data and generating personalized beauty or wellness recommendations.
Machine-Implemented Virtual Health and Beauty System
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. WO2019136359A1. Priority: January 5, 2018 • Filed: January 7, 2019 • Published: July 11, 2019.
International counterpart describing a multi-sensor and data-driven recommendation system for cosmetic and wellness regimens.
Device and System for Personal UV Exposure Measurements
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. WO2019133965A1. Priority: December 29, 2017 • Filed: December 31, 2018 • Published: July 4, 2019.
Covers personal UV measurement systems integrated with mobile applications for real-time exposure tracking and advice.
Apparatus and Method to Realize Personalized Cosmetic Compositions
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. US9918538B2. Priority: February 10, 2016 • Filed: February 10, 2016 • Granted: March 20, 2018 • Published: March 20, 2018.
Describes an automated apparatus capable of formulating customized cosmetic compositions by blending selected treatment mixtures.
System for Selecting and Dispensing Cosmetic Material
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. US20170208921A1. Priority: January 27, 2016 • Filed: January 27, 2016 • Published: July 27, 2017.
Discloses a digital dispensing system enabling consumers to create bespoke cosmetics from prefilled cartridges.
Apparatus for Dispensing Cosmetic Material
Pielak, R. M. L’Oréal. US20170208920A1. Priority: January 27, 2016 • Filed: January 27, 2016 • Published: July 27, 2017.
Covers a hardware system for precise dispensing of cosmetic materials based on user input or sensor data.
Thermal Transport Characteristics of Human Skin Measured In Vivo Using Thermal Sensors
Pielak, R. M. The Board of Trustees of the University of Illinois. WO2016054348A1. Priority: October 1, 2014 • Filed: October 1, 2015 • Published: April 7, 2016.
Describes epidermal devices and methods for quantifying thermal transport parameters—useful for assessing hydration, blood flow, and skin health.